Wonderlust Movie Review

Recently, my husband and I were able to take time to have a date night. The stars aligned (it was a full moon I believe!) and Wonderlust was the next movie of our "acceptable" list... I laughed through the entire movie. So did husband. We shared quite a few inside jokes based on the movie... mostly surrounding me (in some similarity to Jennifer Anniston's character) and my desire to live on a commune and my new "projects" and plans that come through every few months. But, I do work full time and I do have kids, so I guess it isn't exactly the same.

I'm not a movie preview watcher (I find that when I do catch a full preview, when I later watch the movie, I know all the punch lines and the story line... what's the point!?) so I had no idea going in just how much I would enjoy this movie.

For my friends and readers, this movie has me "thinking" even though it was a comedy. I enjoy my garden. I enjoy my friendships. It is great to know just how much the world and G-d provides when we allow things to be and to relax and enjoy. Yes, I believe we all need to work hard to get benefits, but sometimes the benefits are in the areas we do not necessarily recognize on first glance.

(edited the first sentence... apparently I put that we went on a "data" night... nice!)

A parenting thought...

I really believe that you can't be offended by someone's comments if you are secure in your belief/decision. When someone says something to you that offends you, or if you read one of my posts or shares, don't get down on yourself. Every family is different. When you compare with other families you will either judge or feel bad until you are content with what YOU have.

If you think someone is judging you, especially if it is fact-based post, then consider where you are in your journey. We all have faults. We all make mistakes. We all have times of insecurity. We all have our vices. Do YOUR best and be honest with yourself and things should work out just fine :)

Peace!

Dealing with our emotions as parents

It can often be difficult to discern our innate feelings from the emotions that may overwhelm our brain when we're faced with a difficult situation. Many families are facing financial issues, which, compounded with deciding between mom continuing to stay at home or going back into the career world, and/or feeling confused over what their familial goals are, can cause the even the best of relationships to get shaky.

What, then, is a family to do when their emotion-o-meter is out of whack AND the children are having difficulties of their own, which may or may not be entirely due to the parental unit's issues? It can easily become a cyclical issue where the parents are stressed, so the kids are stressed, so they act out, so the parents get up set and MORE stressed, so the kids feel it and don't know how to act around the parents anymore, so the parents get more frustrated, and on, and on.

Ever feel like taking a one-way train?
Keep your emotion's open and in check for your family!

As parents it is in our court to get control of our emotions. We cannot expect the kids to make things better, no matter how good it feels to have happy kids. The typical "family clown" comes from parents not having control and the child feeling the need to "make things nice." Instead, parents need to have time to really talk things through and come to a determination what is the (current) right direction for the family. Family meetings and open communication is also important at this time. Parents should talk candidly, yet honestly with their kids, even the young ones! Let them know that even if things are rough you are working to make things better! Let them know how helpful they've been- either way they do feel and know more than we often suspect. Plus, the more honesty that is out there, the more the bond of trust there is in the family.

Going back to my recent post about "me" time and/or MNO, keep in mind that your emotional health is important! a happy mommy is a better mommy. Be sure you're being true to you while you're being a great, attached parent to your child(ren)!